A man who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "This year his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, ointment and injection devices were located, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She explained the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member notified the authorities a second time.
She stated Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
